There are many famous universities in London, the capital of the United Kingdom. Generally, to secure direct admission to prestigious universities for Year 1, students need to attain a score of 5 in the HKDSE’s elective subjects and a specified score in the core subjects, which should be no less than 3.
If you do not meet the university’s requirements and fail to secure admission, students interested in gaining entry to London's top universities should continue reading. This article will delve into the process of enrolling in Foundation programs at University College London (UCL) and King's College London (KCL), which eventually lead to Year 1 entry at these institutions.
UK foundation programmes introduction
The Foundation Year, also known as the University Preparatory Course or Preparatory Course, is typically a 9-month program.Courses are organised into various pathways corresponding to the direction students intend to pursue in their bachelor's degree program. Upon successful completion of the program and meeting the specified university requirements, students are eligible to enter Year 1 of their chosen university.
Throughout their studies, students are integrated into the university community. They receive a university student ID card, gain access to the university's resources, can take advantage of the student support services offered by the institution, and benefit from the high-quality teaching provided by the University of London faculty.
Source: Freepik
UCL Foundation Programme
UCL Foundation Programme (UPC) has two main pathways:
- Humanities Pathway
- Science and Engineering Pathway
When you select your Bachelor's degree program, the university will assign two elective subjects for you to study, along with a designated major course. Additionally, both pathways will include a major subject known as Academic English, designed to enhance English proficiency.
Source: UCL
KCL Foundation Programme
KCL Foundation Program (IFP) subdivides the Pathway into:
- Biology & Chemistry
- Computer Science & Mathematics
- Engineering & Mathematics
- Global Politics & Social Science
- Liberal Arts & Social Science
- Mathematics & Physics
It is very similar to the UCL Foundation program, featuring a structure consisting of two major subjects and two elective subjects. Students will be placed into a designated Pathway based on their chosen university bachelor's degree.
Source: KCL
Application Notes
- Students must provide Form 4 and Form 5 school reports (only applicable to Form 6 students).
- Personal Statement within 500 words - Students should explain why they chose the relevant university, their chosen subject, their understanding of the subject, and their own value.
- IELTS for UKVI - Unlike other preparatory courses, UCL and KCL preparatory courses require students to have obtained the English score required by the university when applying: Overall 6.0 (each score should not be less than 5.5).
- Recommendation letters and Predicted Grades from Hong Kong secondary schools.
Entry Requirement
HKDSE: 444 in three elective + 444 in core subjects (CSD excluded)
IELTS for UKVI: Overall 6.0 (each score should not be less than 5.5).
Application deadline
The application date for UCL is March 29, 2024
The application date for KCL is February 29, 2024
Since the universities admit students on a rolling basis, if the application is made after the specified date, the universities will consider the student's application as unfair judgement.
Entrance test and interview after applying to UCL
UCL arranges specific entrance examinations for applicants, primarily assessing the two elective units that students will study in the Foundation programme.
These exams are conducted online, allowing students to use their home computers to access the university's exam link and complete the exam on the designated date and time.
Students who successfully complete the entrance examination with a score of 50% or higher will be invited for an interview with the university and subsequently receive an admission offer.
On the other hand, KCL does not require interviews or entrance exams.
Please note that the information and dates mentioned above are subject to change, depending on updates in 2024. If students have questions regarding applications, personal statements, interviews, or entrance exams, they can reach out to Cyclopes Education on WhatsApp to consult with a consultant.